MOBILE, ALA. -- There doesn't appear to be many elite safeties available in this year's draft, which is too bad for the league in general and the Saints in particular.

The position has become more important than ever, with the rise of three-receiver sets and other creative offensive formations.

And no position has made a bigger impact during this year's postseason, with Baltimore's Ed Reed, Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu, Philadelphia's Brian Dawkins and Arizona's Adrian Wilson all putting on a spectacular showcase for a job that hasn't always been so valued in the NFL.

"Five years ago, you could get away with having a guy on the back end who wasn't a great cover guy, but that's not true anymore," said longtime NFL assistant and former Saints defensive coordinator Rick Venturi. "You have to be just as good (in coverage) in the middle of the field as you do outside."

Venturi said the Indianapolis Colts have made a living out of attacking safeties with a slot receiver during their run of success this decade.

Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said another guy who has a knack for doing that is his new boss, Sean Payton.

"Offenses have gotten so good at isolating and attacking the safety from the slot that your safeties have to be able to hold up in coverage," said Williams, who was with the Washington Redskins when they drafted Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry with top-six picks in 2004 and 2007.

"Offenses are spreading you out with three- and four-receiver formations, empty backfields and putting pressure on your safeties to make plays in space. Sean (Payton) is really good at that. Your safeties have to be able to cover and run, but they also have to play in the box and be physical.

"To be really, really good on defense, you have to be good at safety."

New Orleans, however, has struggled at that position for several years.

It's not that the Saints have ignored the position. On the contrary, they used second-round draft picks on Josh Bullocks and Roman Harper in 2005 and 2006, then signed free agent Kevin Kaesviharn in 2007.

But all three of those safeties have consistently struggled to prevent deep passing plays, and they have rarely made big plays. The trio combined for three interceptions, two forced fumbles and zero sacks this past season.

"It's clear we need to have improved play at that position. And you know, we've got some guys in our building that are capable of it," said Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, who said he hasn't necessarily seen a noticeable trend of teams trying to unearth the next great safety. "It depends if you have one. I'm sure Pittsburgh's looking at it a little differently than we're looking at it."

Perhaps the new coordinator and a new scheme will help -- especially if the Saints can take some pressure off the back end by getting more consistent pressure up front. But certainly the Saints will look for talent upgrades, as well, especially at free safety.

Dawkins is the best of the potential free agents, though the seven-time Pro Bowler likely will either re-sign with Philadelphia or come with an extremely high price tag.

Chicago Bears veteran Mike Brown and St. Louis' young standout, Oshiomogho Atogwe, also will be two of the most coveted free safeties if they hit the open market. New England's James Sanders is another up-and-comer.

At strong safety, Jacksonville's Gerald Sensabaugh could attract the Saints' interest after playing well under Williams last season. Miami's Yeremiah Bell, Cleveland's Sean Jones, Tampa Bay's Jermaine Phillips and Minnesota veteran Darren Sharper also are among the top-rated free agents.

The draft, however, likely won't provide any instant help to the Saints, who have the 14th pick in the first round but no second- or third-round picks.

USC's Taylor Mays might have been worthy of a high first-round pick, but he opted to stay in school. As it stands now, no safeties are rated as surefire first-rounders.

The Saints still are looking long and hard at some of the top prospects during Senior Bowl week, though, including Missouri's William Moore, Western Michigan's Louis Delmas and Mississippi State's Derek Pegues.

Moore originally was considered the top prospect at safety, but according to several accounts he has hurt his stock a bit this week. He has looked a little slow and stiff in coverage, making him seem more like a strong safety or even a linebacker prospect than a free safety.

But Moore, who said he spoke at length with Saints personnel this week, insisted he "won't be a bust."

"I can give you my word on that," said the 6-foot, 223-pounder, who offered thanks to guys like Reed and Polamalu for giving the position a good name.

"Look at it: We make the calls, get guys in place. We play corner sometimes when the cornerbacks blitz. We can drop down in the box to stop the run," Moore said. "What other position does that?"

"What you need now is almost a hybrid corner-safety that can cover the slot, and another safety who can play the run but is still athletic enough to cover the deep ball," said Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle, who is coaching the North squad. "Safeties are being asked to do so much, they have to be smart, physical and have cover skills.

"Those guys are rare. There are only two or three of them that come out (in the draft) each year. That's why their value is rising."

Jeff Duncan contributed to this report. Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.